Preheated Hot Water and Other Simple Things

I was able to have lunch with Adam today. It was a fun little outing. Rowan and I walked over to his office and then we walked to lunch. It just got me thinking about how I should write about some of the little comforts of life here. There is a lot to complain about here, but there are some benefits too. These are just some of the simple pleasures amidst the oddities in no particular order…

Our water cooler… I am a little picky about drinking water, so we bought a water cooler and have the 5 gallon water jugs delivered as we need them. This water cooler has the hot water dispenser too. Hot tea? No problem. Oatmeal? Couldn't be easier. Hot chocolate all around? You got it. Can you tell how easy it is to please me these days? I know you must be thinking, I am thinking it too. Really? Preheated hot water makes you happy? It is a little sad, but I live in South Korea.

The medical clinic and hospital is literally across the street from our apartment building. We haven't had many appointments, but when we have, it is so nice to not have to think about getting everyone in the car and timing the traffic, parking, etc. It takes 2 minutes, if that, to get there. If we have to go to the ER, (fingers crossed we never have to), just cross the street. With the croup that goes around, this could be a major convenience for the Bright Fam.

Walking almost everywhere, if you want. I am liking the walking option and am sure I'll like it better when it is warmer. It would be a pain to walk everywhere on base, but the areas we use – the school, the commissary, BX, post office, movie theater, library – you know, the basics of life, we can walk there, if we want. (Do you like that? If you want. I can admit I don't always want to, but I like the option!!)) I have found the more I walk, the more likely I am to remember to use my reusable bags. And, if I have to carry everything I am buying, I am less likely to overbuy.

Consequently with all the walking, I only buy gas about once per month. Isn't that crazy?? When have you ever only bought gas one time per month?

The commissary is right next to the school. In the States, I prefer to grocery shop every couple of weeks and pick up milk when we run out kind of thing. Here that is impossible b/c the fridge and pantry aren't big enough. So, I have adapted to buying basically what we will need for a week at most. That being said, the commissary is next to the elementary school. I walk to school twice per day, so if we need milk or bread, it is so easy to pop over and grab it while going to get or drop off the kids.

Ajima Heaven. (Pronounce it "ah-jee-ma") I have a Korean cleaning lady, Mrs. Pyo. She comes once per week, is here for maybe 6 hours and she is awesome. She does everything and I LOVE her. Actually she does too much, but there is no telling her that. She cleaned the patio when it was 30degrees out and she was wearing a tank top and capris. She scrubbed the tile floor on the patio. I tried and tried to tell her not to do it, but she did. Then she took out buckets of water and rinsed the patio. Did I mention how I love her?

We have a nice view from our apartment of the flight line and one of the main streets on base. I swear every guy that comes in our apartment for the 1^st time goes straight for the view. I am sure during Spring and Fall the view will be even better. I can sit out on my 'freshly scrubbed' patio floor, have a glass of wine and watch the sun set. Who could complain about that?

7^th floor – I like all our neighbors. I think we really lucked out. I know have written about that before. A couple of other things about life on the 7^th floor… I never feel guilty about taking the elevator. If I lived on maybe the 3^rd floor or so, I might guilt myself into taking the stairs.

When it snows, someone else does all the work to shovel, salt and sand the roads, sidewalks, etc. to clear them. Plus, I really enjoy the view from the apartment while the snow is falling.

This is a funny one – the garbage chute! When the garbage has to go out, it goes down the garbage chute. No stinky garbage cans in the garage, no empty garbage cans being blown all over the street. Recycling gets bagged in clear bags and goes down the chute too. No overfilling recycling bins in this house! No having to remember if this is the week the recycling truck comes, just take it out when it's full.

I would never have learned about Graboid if we didn't live here. It is a website that you watch TV shows and movies or download and keep them if you like. We pay a nominal fee for it, but it is worth every cent. We hook up the laptop to the TV and voila! I know I have complained about the cable here, but Graboid really makes up for it. Adam and I got caught up on Top Chef in like two weeks. Some movies we have watched are being shown at the movie theater here. Some movies we question the copy, nod, nod, wink, wink, but how many of you have watched TRON and Harry Potter 7.1 at home????

I am sure there are plenty of simple things to list, but of course I am now thinking how sad it is to be excited over preheated hot water. Sounds like it is time for a cup of tea : )